Putin hopes for early summit with Kim: N.K. media

SEOUL, Aug. 15 (Yonhap) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed hope for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at an early date, Pyongyang's state media said Wednesday.

The message was delivered to the North's leader as Putin congratulated North Korea on the 73rd anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"I am satisfied with the fact that the relations between our two states have friendly and constructive characters," Putin was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

"I affirm that I am ready to meet you at an early date to discuss urgent issues of bilateral relations and important matters of the region," Putin added.

He also voiced hope for developing "reciprocal cooperation," including trilateral economic projects involving the two Koreas and Moscow.

In response, Kim sent a message to his Russian counterpart, which highlighted the development of the two nations' friendly relations, the KCNA added.

Putin earlier invited Kim to an annual economic forum to be held in Vladivostok in September though the North's leader has yet to reveal his response. The two countries have agreed to hold a summit by the end of 2018.

sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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